Ironically, despite Americans'
patriotism and strong support for their jury system, many appear to avoid
serving.

To remedy this, there are efforts
underway to reform jury service by breaking down barriers and eliminating
loopholes so all citizens can fulfill their civic obligation.

The barriers being addressed by such
reforms typically include:

·Length of service

·Lack of employment protection

·Insufficient compensation

The loopholes being addressed by such
reforms include:

·Automatic exemptions of some
professions

·Inadequate penalties for no-shows

·Overuse of "hardship excuses"

While the above are
admirable goals, it is important the
system remain compassionate and not become anti-family.

A democracy should never infringe upon a child's individual libertyby taking away mommy
for jury service!

Any "Family Friendly" jury service
reform model legislation act must contain an OPTION to allow a full-time
mother to DEFER her service until her child is older.

Unfortunately, one popular jury service
reform effort, the A.L.E.C. (American Legislative Exchange Council) “Jury
Patriotism Act” model legislation does not pass this test, and would
encourage more mistreatment of caregivers, of the kind described in the “Hall of Shame”.

In paragraph b.3. (a) of Section 4,
Excuses From Petit Jury Service, the Jury Patriotism Act explains “undue or
extreme physical or financial hardship” as being “required to abandon a
person under his or her personal care or supervision due to the impossibilityof
obtaining an appropriate substitute caregiver…”

“Impossibility” is a very strong word.

It is so rigid that it would FORCEan at-home motherto place her young child in a day-care institution in order to
serve theSTATE! This smacks of Totalitarianism, not ALEC’s Jeffersonian ideals!

Update:

In states that have enacted ALEC’s
model Jury Patriotism Act, “There have been unintended consequences of the
new law” and “Arizona legislators have introduced at least 5 bills this year
to modify (their) 2003 law.”

Sources:

The Arizona Republic, “Elderly may get break on jury service”, dated 19 February 2005